Why India’s Passport Slips to 85th in 2025 Global Ranking
India’s passport ranking has fallen to 85th place in the latest Henley Index, despite some gains in visa-free travel. Learn the main reasons behind this drop and what it means for travelers.
India’s passport has taken a step back in the world of global travel. In the 2025 Henley Passport Index, it now ranks 85th out of 199 countries. This is a drop from 80th place last year. Holders of an Indian passport can visit 57 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival. That number is down from 59 earlier this year. While the total destinations have grown over time, the rank has stayed stuck or slipped due to bigger changes around the world.
To understand this, look back a bit. In 2015, Indian passport holders could go to 52 places without a visa, and the rank was 76th. By 2024, that number rose to 62, but the rank fell to 80th. Now in 2025, it’s back to 57 spots. The issue is not just India’s progress—it’s how fast others are moving ahead. The global average for visa-free access has jumped from 58 countries in 2006 to 109 in 2025. Nations like Singapore top the list with 193 destinations, while Japan and South Korea follow close with 189 and 190. Even China has climbed from 94th to 60th by adding 32 more visa-free spots in the last decade.
So, why the fall for India? Experts point to a tougher race in international travel deals. More countries are signing agreements with each other, leaving India behind in some cases. Between July and October 2025, two nations pulled back visa-free entry for Indians, cutting the total from 59 to 57. This shows how quickly policies can shift. Other factors include worries about migration. Many countries fear overstays or illegal work by visitors. India’s large number of people moving abroad for jobs or studies adds to this image. Past events, like security issues in the 1980s, also hurt ties with some Western nations.
Achal Malhotra, a former Indian ambassador, explains it well. He says countries are getting careful with immigrants because of high migration rates and visa overstays. These hurt India’s reputation. He adds that passport power comes from strong economy, steady politics, and easy borders. India has security gaps and slow immigration steps that slow things down. But there is hope—new e-passports with biometric chips could make travel safer and faster.
This ranking matters for everyday travelers. A weaker passport means more paperwork and wait times for visas to popular spots like Europe or the US. It can raise costs and stress for business trips or holidays. As India’s economy grows fast, experts hope better deals and tech upgrades will boost the rank soon. For now, it reminds us that global travel is a team game, and India needs stronger partnerships to catch up.
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